on the workbench

Work has finally begun on my holiday gifts.

These beads are from the clay I dug this fall and once fired will be stringing beads for my daughter.  Okay, to be honest I might keep a few for me to play with too.  I have a few other clay pieces worked up and I hope to have my first firing in the fire pit before we get any significant snowfall.(wish me luck)

Sonia did a nice post the other day about some simple and handmade gifts to consider giving this year, if you're looking for some inspiration.  I firmly believe that gifts don't need to be expensive to be appreciated.  A simple, thoughtful gift is much more meaningful and I'll take 10 minutes of thought over $100 spent any day.  (but hey, if husband is reading, that Wustof knife combines both...)

I've also been working on some wool brooches and am just finishing up the wood bases.  Each wool scene has to have a base that I feel goes with the scene, so it isn't quite as easy as just popping them in whatever I have on hand.  They have to be the right color and shape so I've been out at the saw and sander tweaking away.  (sometimes I drive myself crazy, but this is how I am)

The brooches, along with a few new stones, will be in my shop sometime this week.  I'll post once I know when I'll be adding them.

I'm be back at the workbench today after I finish my coffee and shake off this Halloween candy hangover.  (ohh Charleston chews, I both love and hate you)  There is much to be done in the next few weeks; holiday gifts, book projects, en masse mitten-making... the list is endless.  I'd better get to it.

Have a good day everyone!

Tinkering in progress

Signs of progress...chunks of wood turning into brooch bases...antlers being cut and drilled...wool being needled...

There's been some tinkering going on over here.  

It makes me happy.

and so does this.

More about all of this in time.

Fo now, have a wonderful weekend, everyone! 

Working on it

Just a glimpse at what I'm working on today. I've had very little time to craft lately, but in the snippets of free time I do get, I'm dividing my time between some woolly sewing, and this project. This particular project has been in my head for quite a while and I'm excited to have a start on it. More glimpses to come...

Busy busy busy

Whew! What a couple of weeks it's been around here. Busy, busy, busy, and it doesn't look like my schedule is going to clear up anytime soon. It may be a bit before I get back to "normal" but I wanted to pop in and let you know what I've been working on.

Today was acorn day. I prepared gobs of wool for felting and did indeed get some felting done. I had gathered more acorn caps the other day when our weather was nice, and they've been cleaned and ready to go. I have a few projects in the works that are a slight departure from my standard acorns, and I can't wait to get them finished so I can share them with you.

I was also able to get two felted scarves made this weekend, something I truly enjoy. Yesterday it was a bit colder and the suds from the felting process froze to my work surface. Yikes! I'll get the finished products photographed soon.

I hope you're all enjoying your own projects and busy lives. As a parting shot, here is a photo of my pre-felted acorns on my workbench. Enjoy!

Wordless Wednesday